Deltares employs collaborative modelling to serve several different objectives. The inclusion of stakeholder perspectives and knowledge can help to broaden system understanding, integrate cross-sector interests and lead to improved model quality, credibility and acceptance. The development and use of simple and user-friendly modelling, communication and visualisation tools can directly facilitate stakeholder learning regarding the problem under consideration and the impacts of any suggested solutions. Moreover, the discussions and negotiations taking place during these approaches can help to establish a shared stakeholder understanding of the problem, build consensus and cooperation, and even mediate conflicts. Collaborative modelling can also thereby directly strengthen decision making processes, leading to more acceptable and implementable strategic plans.
Through the collaborative modelling of water-related problems, risks, and potential solutions, Deltares aims to directly enhance the planning and decision making capacity of water users, decision makers, and other stakeholders. The combination of both expert technical and local forms of knowledge shapes the basis of our collaborative modelling approaches. Through frequent, interactive and facilitated workshops, we create transparent platforms for knowledge sharing and the balancing of competing stakeholder interests. Moreover, by directly involving stakeholders in the design, construction and use of the modelling tools, we build stakeholder trust, understanding and sense of ownership over the developed tools, which lead to their continued use by stakeholders after the conclusion to the planning project.
Deltares is a globally recognized independent institute for applied research in the field of water and subsurface. By sharing our knowledge and expertise combined with the development of software products we aim at enabling delta life. Collaborative modelling is an appropriate solution to contribute to the achievement of Deltares' mission and enhance the societal impact of our work.
The Collaborative modelling team was launched in September 2016. The team was structured based on three main circles:
- Circle A: Core team
- Circle B: Supporting team
- Circle C: Project acquisition team
During the first meeting five main objectives were proposed. Each objective encompasses a list of activities to be carried out. This memo summarizes the activities that were carried out in the year 2016 and beginning of 2017.
OBJECTIVE 1: Establish a multi-disciplinary core team with extensive knowledge on collaborative modelling and existing approaches and tools
OBJECTIVE 2: Integrate collaborative modelling into more proposals and projects
OBJECTIVE 3: Increase capacity and awareness on collaborative modelling and approaches and tools within Deltares
OBJECTIVE 4: Disseminate our knowledge externally to clients and partners while strengthening partnerships for continued knowledge exchange
OBJECTIVE 5: To develop new collaborative modelling approaches to be used with Deltares tools
